Passing the Baton eouips local churches to help stop the revolving door of homelessness by befriending those who are at risk of homelessness, or who have been affected by homelessness in the past (Scotland only).
Activity
Volunteer befrienders commit to befriending someone affected by homelessness for up to a year.
Time
Training for interested volunteers is usually for 6 hours, spread over two sessions. Once volunteer referral forms, references and PVGs have been collated, a befriender is ready to start befriending as soon as a suitable match with a befriendee is available. Volunteer befrienders will normally give up to 2 hours of their time each week or fortnight.
Cost
6 hours of training costs £500. If a paid member of staff is appointed to oversee the programme (approx. 3 days a week to befriend 20 people), the project can be run on about £20k a year, which includes staffing, IT, phone calls, stationery and volunteer expenses.
Partnership
Through the befriending training, participants will learn how to help connect befriendees into local community groups.
Support
We provide resources, training and support to enable churches and other Christian organisations to set up their own befriending service.
Resources
Laptop to store befriender and befriendee information securely.
People
A facilitator with strong admin and people skills needs to be appointed to oversee the project, liaising with local agencies for referrals, ensuring that befriendees and befrienders are appropriately matched and being a point of contact for any problems or concerns. Compassionate and dedicated volunteers with a local church connection are needed to befriend those who have been affected by homelessness.
Replications
Passing The Baton has:
Replications
FREE Getting Started Guide
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